DRC and Belgium Advance Umicore–STL Germanium Processing Partnership
DRC and Belgium Discuss Umicore–STL Partnership to Expand Local Germanium Processing
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Belgium are advancing discussions around a partnership between Belgian materials technology group Umicore and the Société pour le Traitement du Terril de Lubumbashi (STL) aimed at expanding the local processing of germanium.
The project was among the cooperation matters discussed during a meeting in Kinshasa on 21 August 2026 between DRC authorities and Belgium’s Ambassador to the country, Roxane de Bilderling.
The discussions included the development of the Umicore–STL industrial partnership and the processing of germanium recovered from the Big Hill tailings site in Lubumbashi.
STL, a subsidiary of Gécamines, operates a hydrometallurgical facility commissioned in 2023 that recovers germanium and other metals from mining residues.
The facility provides a platform for processing germanium within the DRC before the material is supplied to Umicore for further processing and use in high-technology applications.
The cooperation between STL and Umicore dates to May 2024, when the companies established a technological and commercial partnership covering the processing and offtake of germanium.
Umicore provides technical expertise to support STL’s processing operations, while the partnership provides a route for STL’s germanium production into international markets.
In October 2024, STL exported its first locally processed germanium concentrate to Umicore in Belgium, marking an important step in the development of the supply chain.
The concentrate was produced from material recovered from the Lubumbashi tailings site.
Germanium is used in several high-technology applications, including fibre-optic systems, solar cells, infrared optics, electronics and aerospace technologies. Its strategic importance has increased as manufacturers seek reliable supplies of critical materials.
The current cooperation is also focused on increasing STL’s production capacity and technical capabilities.
Umicore’s expertise is being used to optimise the hydrometallurgical process, while the partnership is expected to support technology transfer and skills development for personnel in the DRC.
Belgium has also approved state-backed financial support connected to the partnership. In July 2026, the Belgian government approved a guarantee for Credendo covering risks associated with a pre-financing mechanism being negotiated between Umicore and STL.
Under the proposed arrangement, Umicore would make advance payments against future germanium deliveries, although a final agreement had not yet been signed at the time of the announcement.
For STL, the partnership provides an opportunity to increase the value recovered from existing mining residues while developing domestic processing capabilities.
For Umicore, it offers access to a growing source of germanium for its downstream refining and materials activities.
The development highlights the growing importance of partnerships that combine mineral processing, technology, financing and long-term offtake arrangements.
As demand for critical minerals continues to expand, the Umicore–STL cooperation could contribute to the development of a more integrated germanium supply chain linking production and initial processing in the DRC with downstream industrial applications in international markets.
